Apparatus and method of producing ultra thin wall extrusions and coatings

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for producing extruded polymer products such as hollow extrusions and conductor coatings having wall thicknesses of 0.002 inches or less. The apparatus may comprise more than one of the following: an external heat source; temperature measurement and heater control; video monitoring equipment to allow magnified observation of the extrudate, thereby providing opportunity to observe any deficiency in the extrudate; and a die holder and die allowing for more expedient die adjustments. A method for producing ultra thin walled extruded polymer products that comprises the following steps: heating the extrudate as it leaves the die, controlling the heat source through either temperature sensing device and heater controller responsive to the temperature sensed, electric current regulation, or electrical voltage regulation; monitoring the extrudate with video equipment to ensure uniformity of the walls of the extrudate; and adjusting the die during extruder operation in response to any observed deficiency in the extrudate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to an apparatus and a method of producing ultra-thin walled extruded polymer products using a polymer extruder. Polymer extruders are used to produce polymer tubes and ducts and to coat with polymers circular, rectangular, stranded and coiled conductors, such as electrical wires, ribbons, cables and coils.

[0002] A common type of extruder employed in manufacturing such extruded polymer products is a “⅜-inch single screw cross-head” extruder 300. In such an extruder, polymers in the form of pellets are placed in a feed hopper 310 and thus fed into an extruder barrel 320. See FIG. 10. Extruder barrel 320 houses a helical extruder screw 330. It should be noted that commercially available pellets must be repelletized, i.e., resized, to a smaller size for use in ⅜ inch extruders to avoid damage to the extruder screw. The polymer fills the spaces between the surface of extruder screw 330 and the interior walls of extruder barrel 320. The screw is rotated about its longitudinal axis by an electric motor 340 while extruder barrel 320 remains stationary. The rotation of extruder screw 330 transports the polymer through extruder barrel 320 creating pressure and friction between the polymer and the interior walls of the extruder barrel 320. The combination of pressure, friction and additional heat provided by heaters melt the polymer. In polymer extrusion, the additional heat is most commonly supplied by electric resistance heaters, which are placed along the exterior of extruder barrel 320.

[0003] By the time the polymer has traveled the length of the extruder barrel, it is completely melted. The molten polymer, i.e., polymer melt, is then forced through a breaker plate 345, which is housed in the body of the adapter 346. Breaker plate 345 causes the polymer melt to flow in a linear direction as opposed to a helical direction.

[0004] Breaker plate 345 is a metal cylinder which provides five channels, for polymer melt flow, running along the length of the cylinder. For example, the breaker plate that is provided in a typical ⅜-inch extruder is approximately 0.377 inches in length and has an overall diameter of approximately 0.748 inches and provides five channels each having a diameter of approximately 0.110 inches. Accordingly, the overall cross-sectional area of the standard breaker plate is 0.439 square inches and the cross-sectional area provided for polymer flow is approximately 0.047 square inches (the sum of the cross-sectional area of all five channels). Accordingly, the ratio of the total cross-sectional area provided for polymer flow to the overall cross-sectional area of the breaker plate is 0.107.

[0005] Breaker plate 345 may also support a filter which is used to remove contaminants from the polymer melt. Typical filters used in polymer extrusion range from 100 to 400 mesh (100-400 lines per square inch).

[0006] The polymer melt, after flowing through the breaker plate and filter exits the adapter and enters a crosshead assembly 350 where it is forced through an extruder die 360. The polymer melt emerging from the extruder die 360 is referred to as an extrudate. The shape of the extrudate immediately leaving the extruder die is not the final shape. For example, in wire coating, a wire 318 travels along a wire path through the crosshead assembly where it comes into contact with the polymer melt which coats the wire. Upon emerging from extruder die 360, the walls of the polymer coating rather than being uniformly concentric and parallel forms a cone around the wire. This phenomena is partially attributed to extrudate swell. As the wire is further drawn away from the extruder die, the coating walls become uniformly parallel.

[0007] Currently available extruders are unable to effectively produce ultra-thin wall, less than 50.8 microns (0.002 inch) in wall thickness, pin-hole free, polymer products. This inability is in part due to the presence of polymer melt contaminants, such as gels and thermally degraded polymers, and the rheological properties of the polymer. Ultra-thin coating is necessary in biomedical implants, where wires with diameters as small as 25.4 microns (0.001 inch) are used and must substantially retain their inherent flexibility and small diameters. Complete coverage of the wire with polymer is necessary to prevent unintended contact between the bare conductor and body fluids and tissue. When attempts to place ultra-thin coatings on such wires have been made, the resulting coating is incomplete or covered with pinholes.

[0008] In addition, currently available extruders do not provide an effective method for instantaneous visual inspection of the ultra-thin extrudate. Such inspection would be advantageous as it would allow an extruder operator to determine whether the extrudate is being uniformly formed, i.e., that the polymer coating extruded on a wire is uniform in thickness and concentric. Consequently, an extruder may be operated for a long period before any defect is noticed. This results in wasted material and loss of production time.

[0009] Non-uniformity of the extrudate walls may be corrected by adjusting the position of the extruder die 360 along different lateral axes. However, such extruder die adjustments are made cumbersome by the current adjustments mechanisms incorporated in currently available extruders (see FIG. 11). Present extruders commonly employ four adjustment screws 370 that act directly on die 360 to adjust the die's position. Consequently, adjusting the die position is time consuming because each screw must be manipulated to adjust the die. On many small extruders, such as a ⅜-inch extruder, at least one of the four adjustment screws 370 is placed in a difficult to accessed location. Unlike thicker walled wire coating, attempts to produce thin walled polymer coatings over wire do not provide the capability to adjust the concentricity of the coating without stopping the coating process. Consequently, the extruder must be stopped to make time consuming die adjustments. This results in numerous trial and error runs to achieve a uniform product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one preferred aspect, the present invention is an extruder with a cross head assembly that comprises a heat source to heat the extrudate as it emerges from the extruder die. It has been discovered that subjecting the extrudate emerging from the extruder die to a short period of heat allows for ultra-thin walled extrudates to be produced without shearing or the formation of pinholes. Furthermore, the application of heat to the emerging extrudate provides additional flexibility in regards to residence time and temperatures in the extruder barrel and the cross head assembly. Accordingly, because of this additional flexibility, polymer thermal degradation may be minimized, thereby reducing the formation of polymer gels and other polymer melt contaminants.

[0011] In a second preferred aspect, the present invention is an extruder that provides instantaneous inspection of the extrudate. This second aspect incorporates the use of video equipment, to provide magnified observation of the extrudate, and associated mirrors to observe the extrudate as it exits the die along multiple views.

[0012] In a third preferred aspect, the present invention is an extruder with a cross head assembly that provides a die holder and an extruder die which allows more expedient die adjustments to adjust the shape of the extrudate without stopping the wire coating process.

[0013] In a fourth preferred aspect, the present invention is an extruder with an improved breaker plate to enhance filtration, reduce extrudate residence time thereby reducing polymer degradation and formation of contaminants.

[0014] The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a partial front view of an extruder incorporating the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top view of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side view of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a partial front view and partial schematic view of an extruder system incorporating the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a partial front view and partial schematic view of an extruder system incorporating the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 10 is perspective view of a prior art extruder.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a front view of a prior art extruder.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention as applied to a typical extruder for wire coating is generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1 through 9 and 12. FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 show an improved cross-head assembly that includes an external extrudate heater 16. Heater 16 may be attached and removed to the exterior of die housing 20 by securing bolt 24 (FIG. 3). It was discovered that heating the extrudate 36 (FIG. 6) exiting the extrusion die enabled the extruder to coat wires as thin as 25.4 microns(0.001 inch) with polymer coats of less than 50.8 microns (0.002 inch) wall thickness. Extrudate heater 16 incorporates a resistance heating element 13 made of a nichrome wire of 16 to 24 gauge (AWG) (35-40 mil) (0.035-0.040 inches). Heating element 13 is bent into a loop 13A to surround the extrudate swell 36 as it exits the die (see FIG. 6). The amount of heat output may be controlled by several methods. In one method, a uniform and steady electric current of approximately 5-20 amps, preferably 10-13 amps, is passed through heating element 13 by an electrical source causing heating element 13 to heat the extrudate 36 emerging from the die. The electric current may be regulated by a feedback controller. Another method of controlling the heating of the extrudate swell is through regulated temperature control. A thermocouple 200 (FIG. 3) is located within the space between the bent heating element 13A and the extrudate swell. The temperature of the extrudate is measured by thermocouple 200 in conjunction with a readily available thermocouple temperature read-out device. The measured temperature may then be controlled with feedback control which manipulates the flow of electric current through heating element 13. The temperature range to be maintained is dependent upon the polymer used. For example, when coating a 25.4 micron diameter conductor with Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) a temperature range of 730-800° F., preferably 780° F., was found to allow the polymer melt to completely coat the conductor with a polymer coat of less than 50.8 micron wall thickness. A third method of controlling the heat output of heating element 13 is by electrical voltage regulation: the voltage across heating element 13 is set at a specified voltage which controls the flow of electric current.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. A die 28 is defined by rounded surfaces along its longitudinal axis, and fits snugly into the annular space provided by a die holder 22, thereby allowing die adjustments with adjusting screws 14. The rounded surfaces of die 28 enables die 28 to be manufactured at a lower costs than current dies which are shaped with flat and rounded surfaces along their longitudinal axes. The position of die 28 may be adjusted by manipulating two die holder adjusting screws 14 which in turn pushes and pulls die holder 22 along two different perpendicular lateral directions. The provision of only two die adjusting screws 14 allow for easier and quicker die adjustments. In addition, instead of using adjusting screws 14, the position of die 28 may be adjusted by the incorporation of electrical driver devices such as piezoelectric actuators.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Visual monitoring equipment 100 and 101 comprising of video cameras 110, monitors 120, and mirrors 130 are arranged to provide for up-close visual observation of the extrudate in two different lateral perspectives. Up-close and magnified observation of the extrudate in two perspectives will alert the operator to any non-uniformity or non-concentricity in the extrudate emerging from the extruder die, thereby, allowing the operator to make timely adjustments to correct the defect.

[0030] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12. A breaker plate 200 defined by a substantially solid cylinder having an outer circumference 205 and an inner circumference 210 which are further defined by a plurality of uniform diameter channels 230. In an exemplary embodiment, a breaker plate for a ⅜-inch extruder was manufactured to provide a cross-sectional area for flow 141% greater than the prior art breaker plate by increasing the number of channels 230 to seven as opposed to five (FIG. 12). In addition, to provide for structural integrity the breaker plate was manufactured to be approximately 150% longer in length than the standard breaker plate. Accordingly, the ratio of cross-sectional area for polymer flow to the overall cross-sectional area of the breaker plate was increased to 0.151, i.e., by 141%.

[0031] The increased cross-sectional area for flow minimizes polymer melt flow resistance and corresponding die pressure. Also, the increased flow area reduces the residence time of the polymer melt in the extruder barrel. This reduction minimizes the thermal degradation of the polymer, thereby minimizing the formation of polymer melt contaminants such as gels and thermal polymer degradation products. In addition, the increased area also allows for use of finer filters for filtering out polymer melt contaminants. These contaminants promote pin-hole formation in ultra-thin extrusions. Filters larger than 3 microns, e.g., 100-400 mesh, have been found to be insufficient for ultra-thin wall extrusion.

[0032] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An extruder for producing polymer extrusions from molten polymer including an extrusion die from which an extrudate emerges, said extruder comprising an external extrudate heater to heat said extrudate as it emerges from said extrusion die.
 2. An extruder of claim 1 wherein said external extrudate heater comprises an electric resistance heater.
 3. An extruder of claim 1 wherein said external extrudate heater is in close proximity to said molten extrudate as it emerges from said extrusion die to uniformly heat said molten extrudate as it emerges from said die.
 4. An extruder of claim 1 wherein said external extrudate heater's heat output is controlled by a regulated electrical current source.
 5. An extruder of claim 1 wherein said external extrudate heater's heat output is controlled by a regulated electrical voltage source.
 6. An extruder of claim 1 wherein said temperature of said extrudate emerging from said die is measured by a temperature sensor.
 7. An extruder of claim 6 wherein a controller is used to control said external extrudate heater's heat output in response to said measured temperature of said extrudate.
 8. An extruder of claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor is located near said extruder heater.
 9. An extruder of claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor is located between said emerging extrudate and said extruder heater.
 10. An extruder for producing polymer extrusions from molten extrudate including an extrusion die from which said molten extrudate exits, said extruder comprising optical monitoring equipment comprising a video camera and a video monitor to allow for viewing of said molten extrudate.
 11. An extruder of claim 10 wherein said optical monitoring equipment provides for a magnified image of said extrudate as it emerges from said extrusion die.
 12. An extruder of claim 10 wherein said viewing of said molten extrudate is along multiple perspectives to allow for monitoring of uniformity of said extrudate.
 13. An extruder of claim 10 wherein at least two video cameras are incorporated to view said molten extrudate along alternate lateral perspectives.
 14. An extruder for producing polymer extrusions from molten extrudate, said extruder comprising a die holder for holding an extrusion die from which said molten extrudate exits, said extrusion die is shaped to fit within said die holder, a first and a second adjustment element incorporated into said die holder, said first adjustment element adapted to move said housing in either a first direction or a second direction that is directly opposite to said first direction and said second adjustment element adapted to move said die holder in either a third or a fourth direction, said fourth direction being directly opposite to said third direction, said third direction being different from both said first and said second direction.
 15. An extruder of claim 14 wherein said die holder is shaped to accommodate an extrusion die with rounded longitudinal surfaces.
 16. An extruder of claim 14 wherein said extrusion die includes rounded longitudinal surfaces.
 17. An extruder of claim 14 wherein said adjustment elements comprises no more than two adjustment screws.
 18. An extruder for producing polymer extrusions from molten polymer, said extruder comprising a breaker plate wherein said breaker plate provides a plurality of channels for said molten polymer to flow through, said breaker plate provides a cross-sectional area for polymer flow in a ratio of 0.12 to 0.20 when compared to the total cross-sectional area of said breaker plate.
 19. An extruder according to claim 18 wherein said ratio is 0.15.
 20. An extruder according to claim 18 wherein said breaker plate is sufficiently long to ensure structural integrity of said breaker plate.
 21. In a process in which molten polymer is extruded through a die to produce an extrudate, an improvement comprising the step of heating said extrudate as said extrudate emerges from said die.
 22. The process of claim 21, wherein said heat is applied intermittently.
 23. The process of claim 21, wherein said heat is provided by an external heater.
 24. The process of claim 23, further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of said extrudate near said heater.
 25. The process of claim 24, further comprising the step of controlling the heat output of said heater in response to said measured temperature.
 26. In a process in which molten polymer is extruded through a die to produce an extrudate, an improvement comprising the step of applying heat to said extrudate as it emerges from said die with an electric resistance heater.
 27. The process of claim 26, further comprising the step of controlling the heat output of said heater by regulating an electric current flowing through said electric resistance heater.
 28. The process of claim 26, further comprising the step of controlling the heat output of said heater by regulating electric voltage.
 29. In a process in which molten polymer is extruded through a die to produce an extrudate, an improvement comprising the step of monitoring said extrudate with video equipment comprising a television camera and a television monitor to display the image of said extrudate.
 30. The process of claim 29 wherein monitoring of said extrudate is along multiple lateral directions.
 31. The process of claim 29 wherein said monitoring of said extrudate is at least along two different lateral directions perpendicular to each other.
 32. The process of claim 29, comprising the further step of adjusting alignment of said die in response to visual observation provided by said video equipment.
 33. In a process in which molten polymer is extruded through a die to produce an extrudate, an improvement comprising the step of passing said molten polymer through a breaker plate wherein said breaker provides a cross-sectional area for polymer flow in the ratio of 0.12 to 0.20 when compared to total cross-sectional area of said breaker plate.
 34. The process of claim 33 wherein said ratio is 0.15.
 35. The process of claim 33, further comprising filtering said molten polymer through a filter finer than 400 mesh.
 36. The process of claim 35 wherein said filter is a 3 micron filter. 